Assoc. Manager, Space Optics Manufacturing, Assembly & Integrati

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers' mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris Technologies is the Trusted Disruptor in the defense industry. With customers' mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Assoc. Manager Operations - Space Optics Manufacturing, Assembly & Integration Technicians

Job Code: 33111

Job Location: Wilmington, MA

Schedule: 9/80 (Every other Friday off!)

Relocation: Relocation assistance is available to qualified applicants

Job Description:

The L3Harris Space Superiority and Imaging Division's site in Wilmington, MA is an industry leader in the design and production of space based optical telescopes for small satellites. We produce cutting edge optical systems for commercial customers, the military, and NASA. Our legacy is writing in the stars - L3Harris Wilmington produced the technology that took the first close-up image of Puto aboard NASA's New Horizons spacecraft (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/newhorizons/images/index.html).

We are looking for a creative, results driven Associate Manager of Operations Management to lead a multi-disciplinary team of technicians. This high-impact role bridges the gap between design and delivery. You will provide the technical manufacturing leadership, influence strategic decision making, and drive continuous improvement across the team. In this position, you will have the opportunity to balance site-wide leadership with hands on involvement in specific development programs.

Essential Functions:

• Manage a team of 30+ technicians across diverse specialties, providing mentorship, performance reviews, and career development plans.
• Champion a "safety is non-negotiable" culture within the group. Create a culture where people want to work safely, not have to work safely. Lead investigations, coordinate cross-functionally to resolve hazards, and ensure 100% compliance with safety standards, making safety the cultural backbone of the group.
• Oversee the planning and execution of work within our shared services, which include our Machine Shop, Paint Shop, Vacuum Bakeout, and Precision Cleaning cells. Plans and establishes goals/objectives for the team, with direct impact on the immediate or short-term results for the department.
• Coordinate with other L3Harris sites: Work with other L3Harris sites to accomplish their work, leverage their capabilities to outsource when capacity constrained in Wilmington.
• Cultivate a high-standard quality culture, ensuring all production meets rigorous mission-critical standards. Spearhead Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations for escapes and non-conformances, transforming technical setbacks into institutional knowledge and long-term process improvements.
• Manage technicians across final assembly, test activities, and our Silicon Carbide foundry. Optimize labor allocation and manage overtime requirements to meet program milestones.
• Data-Driven Management: Develop and maintain capacity, utilization, and efficiency models. Track Monthly Operations KPIs and spearhead recovery plans for any metrics falling short of targets.
• Identify and implement Lean/Six Sigma initiatives to optimize cycle times, quality, and overall manufacturing efficiency. Make moderate to substantial improvements to processes and systems to enhance the performance of the group. The problems that you will solve are complex and may require comprehensive information gathering and analysis. You are the creative solution generator for the team you are leading.
• Ensure a consistent flow of information across team members working on multiple programs, maintaining alignment with site-wide objectives. You will communicate internally and externally of the group to gain the cooperation across the organization on improvement initiatives.
• Maintain a skills matrix and training plans to identify gaps, ensuring the organization is scalable and prepared for future mission requirements. Lead and develop training initiatives where needed. Lead labor forecasting and hiring activities for the group.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in an Engineering, Science, or Business discipline with a minimum 6 years prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree with a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.
• 5+ years experience in a manufacturing environment, ideally with a focus on Development or New Product Introduction (NPI).
• Experience managing/leading in a manufacturing environment
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Active U.S Security Clearance is preferred
• Experience working with space optical systems
• Ability to communicate complex technical and operational data to senior management and cross-functional stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience implementing Lean and Six Sigma tools.
• A proactive desire to "push the envelope" in safety and waste reduction to improve the operation

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington, and the Greater D.C, Denver, or NYC areas is $88,000.00 - $164,000.00. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health anddisability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.

L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer. Please click here for the E-Verify Poster in English or Spanish. For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here for English or Spanish.